Physics Major

Why study physics and astronomy at Geneseo?

Physics is the study of how the universe works, from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxy clusters. Physics majors at Geneseo develop advanced problem-solving skills and get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art lab equipment that is useful for a wide variety of technical careers. They also go on to pursue graduate degrees in physics, astronomy, engineering, and related fields, and many go on to become high school teachers. One of the great strengths of our program is its flexibility, enabling students to choose courses tailored to their particular interests.

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Program Options

• BA in Physics
• BA in Physics, Adolescence Education
• BA in Physics, Engineering Five-Year, 3+2
• BA in Geophysics
• BS in Applied Physics
• BS in Biophysics
• BS in Physics
• Minor in Astronomy
• Minor in Physics

Additional Options

• Certification in Adolescence Education: Physics and General Science (7–12) (available to Physics BA students only, not BS in Applied Physics)
• Concentration in Natural Science with Childhood Education with Special Education (1–6)
• Concentration in Natural Science with Early Childhood/Childhood Education (B–6)
• Microcredential in Enthusiasm for Physics and Astronomy
• Microcredential in Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
• Microcredential in Undergraduate Research in Computational or Theoretical Physics
• Microcredential in Undergraduate Research in Experimental Physics

Program Highlights

• Geneseo ranked #2 out of more than 500 schools nationwide in the number of physics bachelor’s degrees produced at an undergraduate-only physics department (American Institute of Physics report, September 2022).
• Geneseo offers one of the largest physics programs in the nation among colleges and universities that do not offer a PhD in physics, which means that physics majors at Geneseo join a large and thriving department focused solely on undergraduates.
• In 2019, the physics department received the nationwide American Institute of Physics Award for Improving Undergraduate Education.
• Physics majors work alongside faculty members on research projects in astronomy, nuclear physics, optics, plasma physics, engineering, surface science, computational physics, and theoretical physics. In Summer 2022, 26 students worked at Geneseo alongside faculty members on research projects, and many traveled to national meetings to present their work to the physics community.
• The department has a strong tradition of supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
• Social activities throughout the academic year allow students and faculty to get to know each other outside the classroom.
• SUNY Geneseo houses a 1.7 MV Pelletron particle accelerator used for research and teaching. Geneseo is one of only a small handful of undergraduate physics departments in the nation to have such a state-of-the-art scientific instrument.